Contrave instructions are pretty straightforward. You will simply swallow one tablet whole with water; Contrave cannot be broken, split or crushed. They are best taken with or after a meal and not on an empty stomach. Make sure you read the patient information leaflet that comes with the treatment before you use it, and ask your provider for advice if there’s anything you’re unsure about.

The dosage and regularity of taking Contrave changes from the beginning of the treatment. In week one, you take one tablet in the morning only, preferably at the same time. In week two, you should take one tablet in the morning and one in the evening. Week three means taking two tablets in the morning and one in the evening. And in week four and onwards, you should take two tablets in the morning and two tablets in the evening. 

Simply skip the forgotten dose and carry on taking Contrave as normal. Don’t take double the dosage to make up for the missed tablet because this can lead to serious side effects including seizures.

If you’ve taken too much Contrave you should seek immediate medical attention. Be sure to take the box of Contrave with you so the hospital can act as quickly as possible if they need to. Taking the tablets at the same time each day can help you to remember when to take your tablet and prevent you from taking too much by accident.

The most common side effects from Contrave include nausea, constipation and a headache. Up to one in ten patients may also experience tremors, vertigo, insomnia, dry mouth, fatigue, changes in how food tastes, irritability, alopecia, pruritus, tinnitus, sweating and loss of concentration.

Severe side effects with Contrave are rare, occurring in less than one in 1,000 patients, but it’s important to know what they are should they develop. If you experience any of the following you should seek immediate medical attention: suicidal thoughts, seizures, erythema or Stevens Johnson Syndrome (a rare skin condition that can cause severe blisters and bleeding in the eyes, mouth, lips, nose or genitals) and rhabdomyolysis (muscle cramps, pain and weakness).

You can find more info on side effects in the leaflet that comes with the medication.

Wellbutrin is a component in Contrave and is also an antidepressant. Because of this, one of the more serious potential side effects with Contrave is depression. In some cases depression can lead to suicidal thoughts. Although it’s rare, you should understand the risk and stop using Contrave if you notice any of these symptoms. You should also inform your prescribing clinician if you’re prone to mental health issues before taking Contrave.

As with any medication, there’s a small risk of allergic reactions while taking Contrave. If you notice any of the following, seek immediate medical attention: swollen face, mouth, lips and throat, difficulty breathing and severe hives or rashes.

Despite containing different ingredients, Contrave and Saxenda work in a similar way, by making you feel more full more quickly. This has an effect on food cravings and can lead to weight loss as a result. Xenical, instead, works by preventing the body from digesting fat, which is eliminated without being fully processed by the body. 

So which is better? That depends on your medical profile. The treatments available have been shown to be generally effective and well tolerated [2], but you might find that one particular solution works better for you. We can help you determine the medication that’s right for you.

Diet and exercise are important factors in any weight loss program. In fact, without diet and exercise, it’s unlikely that any treatment you take will be successful. Your clinician should be able to provide assistance and advice for the most effective and safest lifestyle changes for you.

Yes, but it’s only usually considered when other less invasive means haven't worked.

There are a few options available, including a gastric band (which is placed around the stomach to make you feel more easily full), a gastric bypass (where the top of the stomach is attached to the small intestine leading to a lower calorie intake) and a sleeve gastrectomy (where part of the stomach is removed so you’re unable to eat as much and will feel fuller when you do).